Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Misses Afghanistan T20I Despite Family’s Stadium Arrival
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a young Indian cricket player who has attracted a lot of attention.
His father and younger brother came to the stadium before India played Afghanistan.
Some fans thought this might mean Vaibhav would play.
However, India later announced its playing XI without him.
Vaibhav therefore watched the match instead of taking part.
He had played in all three matches of India’s Zimbabwe T20I series.
That happened while Samson was being rested.
Samson’s return to the team meant Vaibhav was left on the bench for this match.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s father, Sanjiv, and younger brother, Ashirvad, arrived at Arun Jaitley Stadium before India’s first T20I against Afghanistan.
Their arrival raised hopes that the teenage cricketer might feature in the series opener.
Vaibhav was subsequently left out of India’s playing XI and watched from the sidelines.
He had played all three matches in India’s Zimbabwe T20I series when Samson was rested.
Samson returned to the XI for the Afghanistan opener, leaving Vaibhav on the bench.
- Who
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, his father Sanjiv, his younger brother Ashirvad, and India’s T20I team.
- What
- Vaibhav was left out of India’s playing XI against Afghanistan despite his family arriving at the stadium before the team announcement.
- When
- Ahead of India’s first T20I against Afghanistan.
- Where
- Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
- Why
- Samson returned to India’s XI after being rested, while Vaibhav was not selected.
- Match
- India’s first T20I against Afghanistan
- Venue
- Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
- Player absent
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Family members present
- Father Sanjiv Sooryavanshi and younger brother Ashirvad Sooryavanshi
- Previous selection
- Vaibhav played all three matches in the Zimbabwe T20I series
- Selection change
- Samson returned to the playing XI
- Outcome
- Vaibhav watched from the sidelines